Notes on Interactions between Monkeys and African Crowned Eagles in Taï National Park, Ivory Coast

ABSTRACTThe spatial distribution of canopy gaps was analysed on three sites (total 71 ha) in the tropical moist forest of Tai National Park, Ivory Coast. Pattern analysis revealed a clustered distribution of gaps for two of the three sites. Catena dependent gap formation processes might explain local differences in the occurrence and distribution of gaps. Gap densities, sizes and percentage forest area in gap phase are higher on the upper and middle slope than on the crest or lower slope. As a consequence, regeneration of gap dependent tree species might be directed to the catena positions with the highest disturbance regime. The spatial distribution of gap dependent species can be clumped, not only due to the regeneration within gaps, but also due to the clustered nature of gap distribution on its own.

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Caviar in the rain forest: monkeys as frog-spawn predators in Taï National Park, Ivory Coast

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467402002195 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 289-294 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mark-Oliver Rödel ◽

Friederike Range ◽

Janne-Tuomas Seppänen ◽

Ronald Noë

Keyword(s):

Rain Forest ◽

Ivory Coast ◽

National Park ◽

Aquatic Environments ◽

Taï National Park ◽

Ultimate Cause ◽

High Predation ◽

Tai National Park ◽

High Predation Pressure ◽

Desiccation Risk

The high predation pressure in aquatic environments is generally assumed to be the ultimate cause of terrestrial breeding in anurans (Downie 1993, Magnusson & Hero 1991, Poynton 1964, Yorke 1983). It has evolved multiple times and is presently found in most anuran families (Bogart 1981, Duellman 1992). It is often associated with higher humidity and thus lower desiccation risk in tropical forests (Duellman & Trueb 1986). Most clutches that are oviposited terrestrially are either hidden in subterranean refuges or attached more or less exposed to vegetation (Duellman & Trueb 1986, Lamotte & Lescure 1977). Exposed clutches however, face the risk of desiccation, even in rain-forest environments (Rödel pers. obs.) and are still vulnerable to predation. Such disparate groups as various arthropods (Villa 1977, 1980; Villa & Townsend 1983, Vonesh 2000), frogs (Crump 1974), snakes (Roberts 1994, Scott & Starrett 1974, Warkentin 1995) and birds (Brosset 1967), have been reported to feed on these clutches. The foam nests,which occur in at least six tropical anuran families, seem to provide better protection. Their drying surface and their more or less liquid interior offers the tadpoles an aquatic environment that is well protected against desiccation and predation (Duellman & Trueb 1986, Seymour & Loveridge 1994). In addition the bubbles of the foam facilitate oxygen diffusion within the nest and may even provide a capacious oxygen store for eggs and hatched tadpoles (Seymour & Loveridge 1994). Few predators have been reported to feed on foam nests, one of which,paradoxically, is a frog (Drewes & Altig 1996). In the Taï National Park, Ivory Coast, we discovered a quite unexpected group of predators preying on foam nests and frog clutches exposed on leaves: monkeys.

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Counting elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) in tropical rain forests with particular reference to the Tai National Park, Ivory Coast

African Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2028.1986.tb00344.x ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 61-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

G. MERZ

Keyword(s):

Ivory Coast ◽

National Park ◽

Loxodonta Africana ◽

Tropical Rain Forests ◽

Rain Forests ◽

Taï National Park ◽

Tai National Park ◽

Loxodonta Africana Cyclotis

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